Means for producing tire carcass material and the like



July 7,-1925.

MEANS Fi;e Nb 4 Sheets-Sheet July 7; 1925.

IE. K. BAKER MEANS I ORv PRODUCING TIRE CARGASS MATERIAL AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 24, 1920 4 Shets-Silet 2 :JW I

July 7, 192 5.

. E. K. BAKER.

MEANS FOR PRODUCiNG TIRECARCASS MATERIAL AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 24, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 5,

July 7,1925. A 1,544,546

E.K.BAKER- I usaus won raonucxne TIRE GARCASS MATERIAL AND THE LIKE Filed Nov) 24, 1920 4 Sheets-Shgt 4 PatentedJuly 7, 1925.

- UNITED STATES} PATENT OFFICE.

EBLE BAKER, OF CHICAGO, ILIJNOIS.

citizen of the United States,

' MEANS FOR PRODUCING TIRE CARCASS MATERIAL AND THE LIKE.

Application filed November 24, 1920. Serial 1T0. 428,221.

To all wiwvn it may concern:

Be it known that I, Erma K. BAKER, a and a resident of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Producing Tire Carcass Material and the like, of which the follow-. ing is a specification. v

My invention relates generally to the manufacture of automobile tires and relatesmore particularly to means for manufacturing tire casings and tire carcass materials therefor. 7

It is the common practice in the manufacture of casings ofthe type above mentioned to build the casing or carcass upon a mol or ring core. In some instances, to-wit: in the manufacture of cord-tires, the cords are actually laid singly upon the core in side by side relation to form the tire carcass. In practice, however, certain limitations arise which make such practice slow, expensive, and limited to large coarsecords, whereas cords of smaller size produce a better tire. For this reason the practice has developed of making a socalled cord tire which is in reality a fabric tire of a. special kind. The fabric, in this instance, instead of being-composed. of interwoven warp an woof threads of the'sa me size, is composed of warp threadsof a size considerably larger than the woof threads; the Woof threads serving in this instance merely to hold the material together as a fabric'to permit of its being slipped at the corners to provide bias material and to per.-

' same means and A 'ployed in building the fabric tire.

mit manipulation substantially with the \by the same methods em- These woof or cross threads, however, are a positive detriment when embodied in the tire.

since, in a measure, they serve to out the warp threads with ,which they intertwine. In thebuilding of the tire carcass upon the ring core with strip material of such character, it is customary to lap the ends of the strips in the same manner that the various strips or pieces-of fabric tireare lapped at thejoint. This practice is objectionable not thatit is slow, laborious and exonly in but also in ,that it forms a tire casensive,

'ing in which certain portions (at the lap joint) are thicker than others. The practice has also developed of making such material into a ring or band, and in thereafter ex It is an object of crossed d factured rapidly at low cost and without obt-he use .of relatively means which I panding-the band as a whole for placement upon the tire mold or ring core. Such ractice embodies, however, many of the ob ections'already noted. as no suitable means have been provided for makingan endless band of uniform thickness.

j y invention to provide a tire carcass material and a method and means whereby the manufacture of tire casing can be greatly simplified and cheapened. 1 Other objects of my invention are to provide a method and means whereby the admittedrly superior tire composed of small but unwoven cords can be manujectionable overlapping joints.

Otherobjects' of my invention are to provide a method and means whereby a plurality of cords can be automatically and continuously converted into endless rings of tire carcass material of predetermined size and of uniform thickness (without lap joints) and adapted for application to and shaping upon a mold or ring core of usual or desired construction.

My invention consists generally in a. type of tire carcass-material and in a method and means for poducing same whereby the above named objects, together with others which will appear hereinafter, are attainable, and my invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate methods and consider the best at the present time.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of mechanism for converting a plurality of cords into endless rings or cord carcass tire material.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail view substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the first material 100 members and cam member with which it coaots;

is a in Figfil.

face view of the parts shown Fi 9 is a view of one of the mandrel mem is removed. from the. cam. member with which it is shown in Fig. 7, partof the mandrel member being removed. a Fig. 10 is a view of that portion of the mandrel member which is missing in. Fig. 9.

Fig. 1.1v is a view substantially on the line 11l1 of Fig. 9; and Y Fig. 12 is a View of the cam member with E which the many mandrel members coact.

My invention is primarily concerned with the manufacture of cord cargass material for use in making automobile tire casings, and I shall, therefore, describe it with particular reference to such use, but this, it.

should be understood, is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

I aim to produce a ring or band of material which shall be endless in form, and whichlshall be of substantially uniform thickness, that is to saywithout any lapped joints or ends. In practicethese bands are to be stretched over ring cores or molds in the manufacture of the tire casing $5 and, for this reason, together with the desirability of having a -exible or extensible material in the casing, I aim to provide a band which can be stretched or extended as may be necessary for manipulation thereof in the manufacture of a tire and in order that it may function properly when cmbodied in the completed tire. These desirable characteristics are such as practically to demand a material composed of large 35 numbers of small cords arranged in side by side relation, but insulated or separated .one from the other by rubber. Further, the cords should be diagonally arranged and when several layers are embodied in the band the cords of one layer should be crossed with respect to those of the other, but not interwoven. Because of the diiiiculty of forming such bands, under methods heretofore devised, manufacturers have been content to approximate the result by utilizing fabric embodying therein warp and woof threads which fabric is cut on the bias to form strips, which strips are then wrapped to form one or.more convolutions, and a 550 band or ring of material thus provided.

Such material, however, embodies the undesirable characteristics of the interconnected cords and also that of the lapped joints or ends which formed abnormally thick portions. I

I have devised a method and means whereby a ring or band of true cord material can be produced rapidly at low form admirably adapted for use in the i manufacture of automobile casings. Generally speaking, I accomplish this desired end by Wrapping a plurality of cordshround an advancing mandrel. Because of the small size of the cords I and the accuracy with which they must be placed in side by side cost and of 21 relation, great difficulty is encountered when an attempt is made to synchronize the mandrel with the movement of cord applying mechanism. I have overcome this dilficulty by providing means for forwardingthe mandrel members and in then causing the mandrel to take unto itself the cords as they are needed, i. e. only in response to the move ment of the mandrel. In this way, the difficult operation of synchronizing of the mandrel moving and cord applying mechaassociated in side by side relation so as, in effect, to form a long cylindrical, mandrel.

The various mandrel members 1 are posi' tioned concentrically around a long central cam member 2. The cam member 2, probably best shown in Fig. 12, is provided with a helical cam groove 3 at one end which advances in one direction, corresponding to a right hand thread, and a cam groove 4 at the other end which advances in the reverse direction, corresponding to a left hand thread, together with an intermediate cam groove 5, which joins with or connects the cam grooves 3 and 4. The cam member 2 has an end portion 6 which fits into the bearing member 7 of the machine and in which it is firmly'bolted so that the cam member 2 is held in position and fixed against rotation.

Each of the mandrel members 1 is providedv with a removable segment 8 which is provided with an outer rim portion or face 5) of the same curvature as the curvature of the-face 10 of the members The removable segment 8 is provided with a central hub portion 11 which co-acts with hub portion 12 of the element 1 and completes the hub oi central hearing. The member 8 is provided with tapering'projecting portions 13 for co-action with the uhder out tapering portions 14 of the member 1. This construction enables the ready assembling and demounting 6f the parts for it is but necessary to push the segment 8 a-xiallyfoil the element 1- which action will resultin wedging it in place, as is Well shownin Figs.'

7 and 11. Conversely to separate the parts reverse movement of the parts is caused.

The elements 1 are placed around the cam member 2 when the segment is removed as indicated in Fig. 9, the space betweenthe faces 15 being 'suflicientto accommodate the largest diameter of the cam 2.

It will be observedthat the hub portion 12 of the member 1 carries a roller 16 which is mounted upon a radially positioned stud 17. The roller 16 is of a size to be accom modated by the cam grooves 3, 4 and 5 in the member 2. Asis well shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the roller 16 extends. into the cam groove in. the member stated, the cam member 2 is locked aga nst movement but in order to wrap the cord material on the elements 1 it is necessary that they be advanced along the cam member 2 and rotated in the course of such advancement. For this purpose I 'provide a shown in Figs.

' plane.

driving pulley 18, the axis of which is. perpeiidicular to the horizontal aiis of the horizontal elements. twisted belt 19 serves to complete the drive, and rotation of the driyling pulley in the direction of .the arrow land 2 causes rotation of the lelements 1 in the direction of the arrow andi' dvancement thereof away from the bear" g 7. The twisted condition of the belt causes 1b: to follow quite generally the 'path of movement of the respective mandrel 'ortions with which it comes in contact.

The remaining parts of the machine can best be understood by a description'of the operation as a whole. The elements 1 are placed over the cam member 2 adjacent the caring 7 and as stated are rotated and advanced by the pulley 18 and belt 19. This movement pulls a band or ribbon 20 of rubberized cord material and from the mechanism designated as a whole by reference character 21 (see Figs. 1 and 3). The

mechanism 21 may vary considerably in de-' tail and it is essentially means forvforming a plurality tion, preferably rubberized and insulated, one from. the other, so that a ribbon-like band of cords is provided. Ashere shown a plurality of small cords 22 are drawn from a plurality of spools or cthersource of supply (not shown) and pass through a comb 23 whereby they are associated in desired spaced relation and in the same general The. cords thence pass downwardly over a roller or drum 24 and between rolls 25 and 26 that are mounted in a rubber containing receptacle 27. As here shown, the

level of the liquid or semi-liquid rubber 28 is below the bottom of the roll 26 so -that a film of rubber is carried by the roll 25 and (imparted to the cords 22 byengagenient therewith. This may be referred to generally as a priming operation.

The primed or rubberized' cords thence pass upwardly over a roll 29 and bined frictioning and calendering rollers 30 and 31. It is not thought-necessary to describe the frictioning mechanism in detail because this may, if desired,be of wellknown construction: Generally, it g, com-v in addition to the rolls 30 and 31; rolls 33v all of which are interconnected prises 32 "and 2. As heretofore,

film or layer of .mandrel as it successively leaves of cords into side by side "rel'asuffices to wrap around them the second into and through the comby the train of gears 34, 35, 36 and 37. The rubber for the frictiohing operation is placed on the shelves, tables or feed trays, 38 and 39, from which it is withdrawn and a thin layer deposited upon the rolls, 30 and 31, which, in turn, give it up tothe cords passing therebetween. As here shown, both the upper and lower surfaces of the cords are frictioned or providedwith a thin rubber, but obviously, if desired, onl one side may be so treated. The frictione or rubber coated cords now pass, somewhat in the band or ribbon, onwardly to and through the calendering and further consolidating rolls 40 which 'rolls they leave in the form of the ribbon 20, heretofore referred to. This ribbon is wrapped around the elements 1 by being pulled'in response to the rotation thereof. Hence it is fed onto the mancords 20 to be wrapped helically there around. The width of the ribbon and the advancement and rotation of the mandrel elements are such as completely to cover the ping point. Thus there is provided a complete envelope of cord carcass material. which temporarily binds the mandrel members together. I desire, in the present instance, not only to form rings of cord car- .cass material, but also to form two superposed layers of cord carcass material, thecords of the one layer being crossed with respect to those of the other, but not intertwined therewith. This I accomplish by lapping another ribbon of cords upon the envelope of cords already formed upon the mandrel members;- In order further to simplify the work and to avoid the necessity. of synchronizing further mechanism with the, drive, already described, I. have devised form of a homogeneous v the wrapmeans whereby the same driving mechanism cause a reversal of rotation of the mandrelmembers while they still advance in the same general longitudinal direction and in the course of such rotation draw or layer of cords which by this action are crossed with respect to the first mentioned cords. To permit reversal of movement of the members 1 provide means for-successively severing the cord material on the mandrel circumteren tially and on a line co-incident with the abutting edges of the respective mandrel members 1. I have also provided means whereby the drive is transmitted through the cutting elements so the machine is necessary comprises diametrically opposite cutting that no stoppage of during the cutting ing the backwardly of the wheels 41 and 42 and diametrically opposite cutting wheels 43 and 44'Which are spaced cutters 41 and 42 and on radii that are spaced 90 from theradii on which the cutters 41 and 42 are positioned. The cutters 41, 42, 43, and 44 are carried respe tively in the holders or arms 45, ,46, 47 and 48, which arms also carry rollers. 49, 50, 51 and 52, theaxes of the respective cutting. Wheels being perpendicular to the axes wheels. Means are provided for moving the respective arms radially inward or permitting them to advance as the mandrel members advance and for the returning them ,to their initial positions. The mechanism for moving the arms 47 and 48 inwardly comprises the cam 53, the rocking lever 54 sliding yokes 55 I squared shafts 57 and 58,,upon which the arms 47 and 48 are carried The radially sliding yokes 55 and 56 are connected by means of the rocking lever 59 and the cross rorHiO. Thus as the rocking lever 54 moves the yoke 55 inwardly, like inward movement of the yoke 56 occurs, an d conversely outwardmovement of the yoke 55 results in like outward movemenhof the yoke 56. Since the mandrel members are in rotatioii the cutters will very quickly circumferentially sever the cord material, and further inward movement of the cutter arms will finally force the rollers into position between adjacent-mandrel members, thereby separating them. This cutting of the material and separation of the mandrel members occurs adjacent that part of the cam member 2 Where. reverse formation of the cam groove occurs. It thus becomes ap-' parent that the mandrel members on one side of the. cutters, rotate in one direction,

and those on the other side, in the other direction, as indicated by the arrows in Fig., 4. It will also be obvious from this description, and particularly by reference to Fig. 4, that although the mandrel members are spaced to form a gap during the cutting period the drive is not interrupted because it will always be found that two diametrically opposite rollers, either rollers 49 and 50, or rollers 51 and to complete the drive.

the rollers will correspond with the movement of the abutting edge portions of the respective mandrel members so that little resistance will result therefrom.

After the first set of cutters has perfori'ned its work of circumferentially sever cord material and forcing the man'- drcl member from cam groove 3 to cam groove 4 the are retracted i. e. move radially oiitwar and thence move longitudiof the respective cutting and 56, which carry a mandrel 52, will be posi- -tioned as showll in Fig. 4 and thus serve. It should also be apparent that the mdvement of the face of nal movement is caused by cam 61, link 69. which is connected to the s uared slidahle shaft 57 at one end and whic at the other end, has a roller 63 o crating in the cam groove of cam 61. Li e movement is imparted to squared shaft cross beam or rod 64 upon which the ends of shafts 57 and 58 are slidably mounted.

The cutter wheels .43 and 44 are actuated in much the same manner as the cutter wheels 41 and 42 through the medium of cams 65 and 66 and the necessary yokes, levers, sliding shafts and the'iilre. cams 65 and66, however, are so formed and positioned relative to the earns 53 and 61 that when "utting wheels 41 and 42 are in their operative position advancing, cutting wheels 43, and 44 are in their inoperative position. vAlso the timin is such that as the cutting wheels 41 an? 42 are retracted thmcutting wheels Band 44 are forced inwar ly, cutting the following mandrel member ree of being stepped forward as before described. Thus it will be observed that a drive will always be had by virtue of one set of roll.- ers or the other.

The'second ribbon of cord material 67 is wrapped around the cord covered mandrel'members in much the same manner as the ribbonQO already described and hence no further description thereof will be given.

In this manner two superposed layers of cords 68 and 69 insulated by layers-of rubber 70 are provided as somewhat diagrammatically shown in Fig. 6. After the second layer of cord material is wrapped or applied it is necessary again to sever the material circumferentially on a line co-incident with the meeting edges of the respective mandrel members. This is accomplished by means of the cutters 71 mountedin arm 72 which is forced inwardly by means of yoke 73, rocking lever 74, and cam 75. It is moved radially outward by the same mechanism and is returned to its initial working position by means of the cam 76 and linlc77 sliding shaft 78. Thus there is provided member 1 having thereon an annular band composed of superposed layers of crossed but notinterwoven cords.

band with the cord carcass material thereon is removed from the machine and thereafter the extensible band can be removed from the mandrel member 1 in anydesired manner so that the member 1, thus freed, can be replaced at the starting point in the manner before described. The endless band or ring of cord carcass material is admirably adapted for use in building tire casings because it is a band of true cord material, endless in form, without any over-' lapping ends or fioints, and of uniform thickness throughout. The cords are con- 58 by means of the the remainder, permitting its which is connected to the squared This .and the vertical shafts 83,

specific construction herein shown and be necessary by bodying therein a multiple -(means and means of such elements as have, passed the spacing response 0 and a complete solidated into a mutually adhering homo geneous mass such as wi permitan necessary manipulation thereof in the manufacture 0 the tire'without danger of-injury, and w ich when embodied in the automobile casing will serve ideally to respond to the stresses and strains incident tosuch use.

As the mandrel members are of some length,-I prefer to support them as by means of'a number of cross belts or hands 86, 87, 88, 89 and 90 which operate-very suitably spaced pulleys These belts also serve to support the cam member 2 through the instrumentality of the mandrel members.

The drive for the various arts is had from motor 79, horizontal shafts 81 and 82 84, and 85 and the bevel gear mechanism clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Inasmuch as suggest to others,

this disclosure will readily skilled in this art, modified structures whereby the substantial objects and purposes of my invention may be attained I do notwish to be limited to the scr ibed except only as may limitations in the hereunto appended claims.

I claim 1. A device of the class described empart mandrel,

r causing advancement thereof, and ctation in one direction, and for successively causing reversal of rotation of the respective mandrel parts.

2. A device of. the class described embodying therein a mandrel formed of a pluralit of annular elements, means for causing a vance'ment and. rotation of the elements in one direction, means for successively spacing the leading element from its follower, for causing reversal of rotation point.- H

3. A device of the class described embodying therein a mandrel formed of a plurality of annular elements, means'for causing advancementand rotation thereof, means for supplying a ribbon of tire carcass materia thereto, whereby the ribbon is pulled from the source of su ply in direct response to the movement or the mandrel and a complete envelope formed thereon, and means for circumferentially severing the tire carcase material along the meeting edges of the respective mandrel elements.

4. A device of the class described embodying therein a mandrel formed of a plurality of annular elements, means for causing a vancernent and rotation thereof, means forsupplying, at a fixed point, a ribbon of tire carcass material thereto, whereby the ribbon is pulled. from the source of supply in direct the movement of the mandrel envelope the movement 0 formed: thereon,

and means for circumferentially severing the tire carcassmaterial along the meeting edges of the respective mandrel elements.

5. A device of the class described embodying therein a mandrel formed of a plurality of annular elements, means for causing advancement and rotation thereof, means for supplying a ribbon of tire carcass material thereto, whereby the ribbon is pulled from the source of su ply in direct response to the mandrel and a complete envelope formed thereon, and means for circumferentially severing the tire carcass material along the meeting edges of the respective'mandrel elements, and means for causing reversal of rotation of the mandrelvelements after they pass the circumferential tire carcass severing point. i 6. A. device of the class described embodying therein a mandrel formed of a plurality of annular elements, means for causing advancement and rotation thereof, means for supplying a ribbon of tire carcass material thereto, whereby the ribbonis pulled from the source of supply in direct response to the movement of the mandrel and a complete envelope formed thereon, means for circum fei'entially severing the tire carcass material along the meeting edges of the respective mandrel elements, means for successively spacm the elements forward of the severing point from its follower, and means for successively reversing the direction of rotation of the elements as they pass the 'point of severance.

r 7. A device of the class described embodyannular mandrel element, a

ing therein an of the mancam member arrange-:1 axially drel element, and having a right hand helical groove along part thereof and a left hand helical groove along another part, said mandrel element having groove in said cam member.

8. A device of the class described embodying therein an annular mandrel element, a cam member arranged axially oi the mandr'el element, having a right hand helical groove along part thereof and a left hand drel, element, having means engaging the groove in said cam 'member, and means for rotating said mandrel element and thereby advancing it-along said cam member.

9. A device of the'class described embody- W,

ing therein an annular mandrel element, a cam member arranged axially of the mandrel element, and'having a right hand heli' cal groove in part thereof, groove in part, and. a connecting groove, said mandrel element having means engaging the groove of the cam member.

10. A. device of the class described crib bodying therein an annular mandrel element, a cam member arranged axially of the mandrel element, and having a right hand a left hand means engaging the 1 helical groove along another part, said man helical groove in part, thereof, a left hand groove in part, and a connecting groove, said mandrel element having means engaging the groove of the cam member together with means for rotating the mandrel mam her and thereby advancing it along the caln member. I

11. A device of the class describedexjn bodyin'; therein a mnltiole part mandrel means 101' causing advancement thereof, an rotation in one direction, for successively causing reversal of rotation of the respective mandrel parts, and means movable in the general direction of the adjacent mandrel portion for supporting the respective mandrel parts.

12. A device of the class described embodying therein a mandrel formed of a plurality of annular elements, means for forming an envelope of tire carcass material thereon, and means for circumferentially severing the material and for spacing mandrel members apartsnbseqnent to the severmg operation.

13. In a device of the class described, a

multiple part mandrel, means fer forming anenvelope of tire vcarcass material thereon,

and means for first severin tire carcass material and then spacing t a contiguous mandrel members apart.

'14:. A device of the class described em bodying therein a cam member having a member adjacent said rigidly supported end,

and means for advancing'said mandrel section toward the unsupported'nd of the earn and for forming carcass tire material thereon my hand, this 19th day of October, 1926,

ERLE KVBAKERL in testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 

